I watched this video with great interest as I love flex writing. You keep talking about pushing harder to get broader lines, but a good flex pen is like a brush. You pull the pen towards you, allowing the pen to open up and give you a broad line. You don't need to use heavy pressure. For me, the proof of a flex pen is how it springs back at the end of a long stroke so you can transition to a hairline. My favorite flex pens are the FPR and the Magna Carta. An FPR 14k ultraflex is absolutely as good (perhaps better from a hairline perspective) as the Mag 600, but the steel ultraflex (with any of the color variations and with or without an ebonite feed) perform well for a fraction of the price. I have one of the first Mag 600s. Mine seldom hard starts, and the nib behaves beautifully.
It shows I am not a flex expert. I just enjoy the writing experience. But you are so right about the spring back effect. The best at that are my vintage watermans. Its starts EF and goes to BB with little effort and just springs back to EF. The 600 just gives me another sensation more like a wet brush. The Quill nib is very similar to the 600.
Congratulazioni! I would like to see a comparison with the MB M149 calligraphy nib , the 14k elastic nib with ebonite feeder of LOI, the Ti nib of Leonardo and why not a Scribo extra flex nib and a Santini super flex nib ...
FPR nibs are awesome, WHEN they work. Out of about 8 nibs I bought from them, 2 only worked as intended. That said, when they work, they are amazing for the Price. I have 4 Mag 600 (one black, one stripped, and two colored resin). They all worked flawlessly and impressed the hell outta of me with no tinkering. The price is right, considering what you get and I second your opinion being pen of the year. That prize can also be easily given to all Scribo 14K nibs. Problem with those pens though, is the price. Scribo is doing themselves a big disfavor with their pricing. If they offer their pens at the same price of the resin MAG 600s, it would have been hella competition. They need to go mainstream and stop this unnecessary prohibitive pricing, IMO. I have to say, it was a lovely video to watch. I have been tinkering with flex nibs for the last 5 or 6 years. I have lots of moments when I wanted to throw the pens against the wall. This is why I appreciate what Magna Carta is doing, even when its not a cheap pen.. Have a nice day.
@@williamcatalano1762 If its only for the purpose of flexing, the MAG 600/650s are definite winner. The brilliance of the Scribo nibs though lies in the fact that they are wonderful every day writers, and I mean wonderful. And yet, when you want to push the nib, it will oblige no question asked. Maybe not to the same extent as the MAGs, but not so far from it. The Mags 600/650 are amazing flex pens, but I cant think of them as suitable every day writers. That 14kt flex extra fine Scribo nib makes my heart sing every time I use it. It`s really that enjoyable. If you ever get the chance, test it and you`ll know what I mean.
For what it’s worth, I have a Mag 650 with a nib marked “14k 585” - it is a better writer than either of the two Mag 600 pens I have. The 650 nib writes smoother and has more of a vintage/antique flex feel, and the feed seems better. Both 600 nibs have a slight degree of scratchiness and a bit too much ink flow.
I fully agree with you: FPR Ultraflex monochrome steel nibs are better than bicolors steel nibs! Monochrome steel nibs are SOFTER and railroad on 26th stroke while Bicolor steel nibs are HARDER and railroad on 19th stroke or less.
I have a Pineider Quill nib which is perhaps the best writing pen i own. Not surperising the Pilot Custom 743 with a soft Fine nib is a close second. That being said, i would certainly look into a Mag 600. I was considering the Mag 650 but this pen is outstanding. Thamk you for the comparison.
I wish the video was named flex nibs showdown. I was on edge about playing this video but once I started playing I realized how useful this video would be than suggested by the title.
Great work Vincenzo! Thank you very much indeed! Just a question: which nib is on the pilot falcon you've using (SF, SEF, SM)? The real FLEX, to my humble opinion, is to be expected on the "pilot custom 912 FA" (and not on the pilot falcons, whatever their nib size).
The Falcon as a SF. I ordered the 743 with the FA nib, which I understand is the one that I really need to try. I am still waiting for it. When I get it I will make sure to rank it with the others as part of my review of the pen.
Hi Vincenzo! A very thorough review of different flex or flexi nibs! I have an Ahab, but never really did much with it. Will have to play around more. I also have a vintage Waterman's from the 1940's that also has a flexi nib. Will have to work a little more with it, also.
So glad people are giving these flex nibs their due respect. I love my 650 Stacked Amber Resin. It's an end game for me as far as flex nibs. I have no want for another unless it's another Magna Carta different color and or body. I don't have problems with mine hard starting at all, but I usually prime the feed a bit without over doing it and making it completely unusable in wetness. I still long for a Scribo, but I wonder whether it is even worth it anymore because I have this pen. We'll see I suppose!! haha
This was an informative video! 😊 perhaps in future videos it would be beneficial to use the same ink to keep the performance all on the same playing field.
Really interesting, video with some beautiful pens. I need to get some of these nibs to put in some of my favourite pens. The issue I have with FPR, being in the UK, is their postage charges to the UK for nibs, especially when combined with import taxes.
Thanks, Vincenzo. I love the gold EF Ultra Flex nibs on my FPR Jaipur V2's, but I'll admit that I'm afraid to flex them too much. I would be less worried about ruining a steel nib. I can still get some good variation though without flexing the nibs enough to scare me. And these gold nibs are really soft writers.
The gold ultra flex version is very intriguing. In fact, I asked another viewer to give me some detail as to the writing experience as I am not sure it is worth that price tag undertook to send me a video sample of a writing experience to give me a better idea
@@fountainpentherapy Not worth the price tag? $200 is a lot cheaper than a lot of pens with 14K gold nibs. But I'm new to flex nibs so what do I know. My Pilot 912 was $280.
I have a Moonman C1 with the Fountain Pen Revolution #6 Flex Nib and 6.3mm Ebonite Flex Feed. The actual price of the Nib and Feed Condo is $10 right now. FPR has frequent sales. I think you quoted about $70 for the unit. I did not get any housing for it and would not know how that works, since the housing threads I think are fitted to particular pens. But there are TH-cam videos on how to make them fit. There is a video on the Ranga, which looks like the housing is just removed and the nib and ebonite feed fit right in. I do not think that is usually the case, certainly not with the Moonman. I saw another video which showed how the feed has to be shaved to fit the housing and that is what I did with a box cutter. I was surprised at how easy it was since I was sure it would leak around the edges, but it did not and I also used silicon grease. But on the C1 eye-dropper filled pen, it does burp a lot and that is not the case with my other four C1 pens which are also fitted with FPR nibs, but without the ebonite feeds. (The FPR Flex nib without the ebonite feed totally railroaded for me and did not work. It needs a lot of ink flow.) The ebonite feed itself holds an immense amount of ink and the ink burps right from the feed. It is extremely wet and does not work well on regular notebook paper because of bleed through and feathering, but my other FPR nibs work fine on cheap paper. It is also the two-tone nib, which you said is not as flexy as the chrome, but I think mine is comparable to your chrome nib. This might have something to do with your particular feed and ink flow.
The best success I have had so far with FPR is with ebonite feed in a bock housing that fits in the ASVINE V200 a vacuum filler which I purchased with a bock nib.
Does a Mag 600 nib fit in any other pen body? Chinese, American, Italian, UK pen bodies. I bought one but the threads on the nib casing are opposite of the typical no 6 style nibs and collars I purchase.
Hi Robert, let me help a bit. I'm not sure to catch exactly what you mean because it would be the first time I see this kind of problem (a housing threads in the opposite direction). If I've understood well: the Magna carta 600 nib housing threads are jowo compatible. Normally you should be able to insert the nib housing in any jowo compatible pen. But if you remove the nib/feed from the housing, you won't be able to insert the mag600 nib/feed in a standard jowo housing because the "inside" of the housing is not 100% compatible. It is needed to have a jowo housing compatible with ebonite feed (the housing inside is different, only external threads are compatible). I've done many trials to find a way to better control the ink flow of this pen which is absolutely horrible (in reality a part of the ink flow is ink leakage which increases when the pen is more and more vertical. I don't know since I've bought this pen if the problem has been solved by Magna Carta); Unhappily, magna carta pen quality is usually very bad, and they don't control very well particularly the mag600 nib/feed/housing of their pens. They tend to utilize the buyer to progressively improve this pen.
For this comparison the FA10 is actually better. The FA10 is pilots "flexiest nib". Much more flex than a FA15, which although is one of the best writing pens for the price on market, isn't a flex as the the smaller, cheaper FA10. Doesn't make sense really but in the reality haha.
Great review of flex nibs. I have one criticism on the reviews. I love FpR ultras, but they need an ebonite feed to reduce rail roading. I decided to pull the trigger and order the gold ultra from FPR. I love it. It is a quadratic leap from the steel nib. Pen weight is all I need to practice my Spencerian script and it’s very close to my 912 FA pen for calligraphy. The FPR is very wet, but I solved the issue by writing on the back of the nib. Wonderful nib that is not in the same ballpark as the steel version, it’s that much better After that long intro, my complaint from the video is the comment, “ I heard the hold nib wasn’t as good, so why spend the extra money” I don’t remember the exact quote, but it is very out of character for FPT. He bases all of his decisions in his actual experience and dissing the FPR gold nib without even trying it it not the norm for FPT
I based my comment on a another reviewer's comments and mentioned it . But now you are forcing me to try that gold nib. I have no choice, LOL. Stay tuned.
I watched this video with great interest as I love flex writing.
You keep talking about pushing harder to get broader lines, but a good flex pen is like a brush. You pull the pen towards you, allowing the pen to open up and give you a broad line. You don't need to use heavy pressure.
For me, the proof of a flex pen is how it springs back at the end of a long stroke so you can transition to a hairline.
My favorite flex pens are the FPR and the Magna Carta. An FPR 14k ultraflex is absolutely as good (perhaps better from a hairline perspective) as the Mag 600, but the steel ultraflex (with any of the color variations and with or without an ebonite feed) perform well for a fraction of the price.
I have one of the first Mag 600s. Mine seldom hard starts, and the nib behaves beautifully.
It shows I am not a flex expert. I just enjoy the writing experience. But you are so right about the spring back effect. The best at that are my vintage watermans. Its starts EF and goes to BB with little effort and just springs back to EF. The 600 just gives me another sensation more like a wet brush. The Quill nib is very similar to the 600.
I am saving for a Waterman . I just love them from all I have seen!
Thank you very much Vincenzo!
Lisa
Muy buenas plumas las Waterman
Congratulazioni!
I would like to see a comparison with the MB M149 calligraphy nib , the 14k elastic nib with ebonite feeder of LOI, the Ti nib of Leonardo and why not a Scribo extra flex nib and a Santini super flex nib ...
FPR Ultraflex nibs (following): Bicolor steel nibs tend to hard start while monochrome steel nibs (with platic feed) generally don't.
FPR nibs are awesome, WHEN they work. Out of about 8 nibs I bought from them, 2 only worked as intended. That said, when they work, they are amazing for the Price.
I have 4 Mag 600 (one black, one stripped, and two colored resin). They all worked flawlessly and impressed the hell outta of me with no tinkering. The price is right, considering what you get and I second your opinion being pen of the year. That prize can also be easily given to all Scribo 14K nibs. Problem with those pens though, is the price. Scribo is doing themselves a big disfavor with their pricing. If they offer their pens at the same price of the resin MAG 600s, it would have been hella competition. They need to go mainstream and stop this unnecessary prohibitive pricing, IMO.
I have to say, it was a lovely video to watch. I have been tinkering with flex nibs for the last 5 or 6 years. I have lots of moments when I wanted to throw the pens against the wall. This is why I appreciate what Magna Carta is doing, even when its not a cheap pen..
Have a nice day.
How would you compare the Scribo 14k flex to the Magna carta?
@@williamcatalano1762 If its only for the purpose of flexing, the MAG 600/650s are definite winner. The brilliance of the Scribo nibs though lies in the fact that they are wonderful every day writers, and I mean wonderful. And yet, when you want to push the nib, it will oblige no question asked. Maybe not to the same extent as the MAGs, but not so far from it.
The Mags 600/650 are amazing flex pens, but I cant think of them as suitable every day writers.
That 14kt flex extra fine Scribo nib makes my heart sing every time I use it. It`s really that enjoyable. If you ever get the chance, test it and you`ll know what I mean.
I do discuss it in the video. My sense is that Scribo is a better everyday writer but the price is a major factor.
For what it’s worth, I have a Mag 650 with a nib marked “14k 585” - it is a better writer than either of the two Mag 600 pens I have. The 650 nib writes smoother and has more of a vintage/antique flex feel, and the feed seems better. Both 600 nibs have a slight degree of scratchiness and a bit too much ink flow.
That’s great to know. Thanks for sharing your experience.
This is a great video thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I fully agree with you: FPR Ultraflex monochrome steel nibs are better than bicolors steel nibs! Monochrome steel nibs are SOFTER and railroad on 26th stroke while Bicolor steel nibs are HARDER and railroad on 19th stroke or less.
Very nice comparisons. Thanks
You're welcome!
I have a Pineider Quill nib which is perhaps the best writing pen i own. Not surperising the Pilot Custom 743 with a soft Fine nib is a close second. That being said, i would certainly look into a Mag 600. I was considering the Mag 650 but this pen is outstanding.
Thamk you for the comparison.
I wish the video was named flex nibs showdown. I was on edge about playing this video but once I started playing I realized how useful this video would be than suggested by the title.
You are so right. But thank you for taking the leap of faith. Enjoy.
Great work Vincenzo! Thank you very much indeed! Just a question: which nib is on the pilot falcon you've using (SF, SEF, SM)? The real FLEX, to my humble opinion, is to be expected on the "pilot custom 912 FA" (and not on the pilot falcons, whatever their nib size).
The Falcon as a SF. I ordered the 743 with the FA nib, which I understand is the one that I really need to try. I am still waiting for it. When I get it I will make sure to rank it with the others as part of my review of the pen.
Hi Vincenzo! A very thorough review of different flex or flexi nibs! I have an Ahab, but never really did much with it. Will have to play around more. I also have a vintage Waterman's from the 1940's that also has a flexi nib. Will have to work a little more with it, also.
Thanks for watching!
So glad people are giving these flex nibs their due respect. I love my 650 Stacked Amber Resin. It's an end game for me as far as flex nibs. I have no want for another unless it's another Magna Carta different color and or body. I don't have problems with mine hard starting at all, but I usually prime the feed a bit without over doing it and making it completely unusable in wetness. I still long for a Scribo, but I wonder whether it is even worth it anymore because I have this pen. We'll see I suppose!! haha
The Scribo is a much better everyday writer.
@@fountainpentherapy Thanks!
This was an informative video! 😊 perhaps in future videos it would be beneficial to use the same ink to keep the performance all on the same playing field.
Really interesting, video with some beautiful pens. I need to get some of these nibs to put in some of my favourite pens. The issue I have with FPR, being in the UK, is their postage charges to the UK for nibs, especially when combined with import taxes.
Thanks, Vincenzo. I love the gold EF Ultra Flex nibs on my FPR Jaipur V2's, but I'll admit that I'm afraid to flex them too much. I would be less worried about ruining a steel nib. I can still get some good variation though without flexing the nibs enough to scare me. And these gold nibs are really soft writers.
The gold ultra flex version is very intriguing. In fact, I asked another viewer to give me some detail as to the writing experience as I am not sure it is worth that price tag undertook to send me a video sample of a writing experience to give me a better idea
@@fountainpentherapy Not worth the price tag? $200 is a lot cheaper than a lot of pens with 14K gold nibs. But I'm new to flex nibs so what do I know. My Pilot 912 was $280.
I have a Moonman C1 with the Fountain Pen Revolution #6 Flex Nib and 6.3mm Ebonite Flex Feed. The actual price of the Nib and Feed Condo is $10 right now. FPR has frequent sales. I think you quoted about $70 for the unit. I did not get any housing for it and would not know how that works, since the housing threads I think are fitted to particular pens. But there are TH-cam videos on how to make them fit. There is a video on the Ranga, which looks like the housing is just removed and the nib and ebonite feed fit right in. I do not think that is usually the case, certainly not with the Moonman. I saw another video which showed how the feed has to be shaved to fit the housing and that is what I did with a box cutter. I was surprised at how easy it was since I was sure it would leak around the edges, but it did not and I also used silicon grease. But on the C1 eye-dropper filled pen, it does burp a lot and that is not the case with my other four C1 pens which are also fitted with FPR nibs, but without the ebonite feeds. (The FPR Flex nib without the ebonite feed totally railroaded for me and did not work. It needs a lot of ink flow.) The ebonite feed itself holds an immense amount of ink and the ink burps right from the feed. It is extremely wet and does not work well on regular notebook paper because of bleed through and feathering, but my other FPR nibs work fine on cheap paper. It is also the two-tone nib, which you said is not as flexy as the chrome, but I think mine is comparable to your chrome nib. This might have something to do with your particular feed and ink flow.
The best success I have had so far with FPR is with ebonite feed in a bock housing that fits in the ASVINE V200 a vacuum filler which I purchased with a bock nib.
Does a Mag 600 nib fit in any other pen body? Chinese, American, Italian, UK pen bodies. I bought one but the threads on the nib casing are opposite of the typical no 6 style nibs and collars I purchase.
Hi Robert, let me help a bit. I'm not sure to catch exactly what you mean because it would be the first time I see this kind of problem (a housing threads in the opposite direction). If I've understood well: the Magna carta 600 nib housing threads are jowo compatible. Normally you should be able to insert the nib housing in any jowo compatible pen.
But if you remove the nib/feed from the housing, you won't be able to insert the mag600 nib/feed in a standard jowo housing because the "inside" of the housing is not 100% compatible.
It is needed to have a jowo housing compatible with ebonite feed (the housing inside is different, only external threads are compatible).
I've done many trials to find a way to better control the ink flow of this pen which is absolutely horrible (in reality a part of the ink flow is ink leakage which increases when the pen is more and more vertical. I don't know since I've bought this pen if the problem has been solved by Magna Carta);
Unhappily, magna carta pen quality is usually very bad, and they don't control very well particularly the mag600 nib/feed/housing of their pens. They tend to utilize the buyer to progressively improve this pen.
you should try the pilot falcon in metal body
You will need a custom ebonite feed for your Pilot Custom 743 FA.
The 650 looks more vintage in my opinion. It's modeled after the classic Parker vac
For this comparison the FA10 is actually better. The FA10 is pilots "flexiest nib". Much more flex than a FA15, which although is one of the best writing pens for the price on market, isn't a flex as the the smaller, cheaper FA10. Doesn't make sense really but in the reality haha.
I agree.
Now I need to get that FA10 nib. Well that will add to my pleasure.
@@fountainpentherapy 😂😂😂
I agree
Great review of flex nibs. I have one criticism on the reviews. I love FpR ultras, but they need an ebonite feed to reduce rail roading.
I decided to pull the trigger and order the gold ultra from FPR. I love it. It is a quadratic leap from the steel nib. Pen weight is all I need to practice my Spencerian script and it’s very close to my 912 FA pen for calligraphy. The FPR is very wet, but I solved the issue by writing on the back of the nib. Wonderful nib that is not in the same ballpark as the steel version, it’s that much better
After that long intro, my complaint from the video is the comment, “ I heard the hold nib wasn’t as good, so why spend the extra money” I don’t remember the exact quote, but it is very out of character for FPT. He bases all of his decisions in his actual experience and dissing the FPR gold nib without even trying it it not the norm for FPT
I based my comment on a another reviewer's comments and mentioned it . But now you are forcing me to try that gold nib. I have no choice, LOL. Stay tuned.
Thank you also for this nice information about the FPR gold nib close to the 912FA ! 👍
Hmm